The Power of Incremental Goal Setting
Teresa Merklin
Statistics consistently bear out the sobering reality that most people who set New Year’s resolutions fail. Additionally, the dropout rate is so high in January that the second Friday of the month is designated as “Quitter’s Day.” Research shows that only about 20% of resolutions are actively pursued for any length of time. Any initial burst of enthusiasm for making the types of changes typically associated with Resolutions tends to wane as the reality of the effort required becomes apparent. The chronic disconnect between aspirational goal-setting and sustainable behavior change highlights the importance of using systems and techniques to set yourself up for success.
Resolutions often fail because they are built on vague aspirations rather than clear and actionable objectives. Additionally, many people assume that resolutions have to be dramatic, which leads to overly ambitious goals. Another fundamental challenge is making declarations that lack specificity, such as “eating healthier” or “saving more money.” Those are great intentions that lack a roadmap toward fulfillment.
Linking goal setting to a single annual day is arbitrary and capricious. When success is assessed with an “all-or-nothing” mindset, the temptation to abandon efforts until the next year rolls around is palpable. Tennis players don’t quit if they lose the first game or give up an early break. Instead, we adjust our strategy and do everything possible to win the match. Similarly, treating a setback as the end of a goal fails to account for the realities of human imperfection. Life is dynamic, and progress rarely follows a straight line. There is a better way than waiting for another New Year’s Day to start over.
The solution lies in incremental goal setting over more manageable periods. Breaking a larger goal into small actionable steps over shorter durations not only makes it feel more achievable but also creates opportunities for regular reflection and adjustment. For example, instead of declaring, “I’ll improve my serve this year,” you might set a goal to take a private lesson in the first week that focuses entirely on serve mechanics. That creates a quick win, which can build confidence and momentum. Weekly or monthly goals encourage a mindset of continuous improvement.
The “SMART” strategy is a good method for ensuring your goals are both focused and effective. SMART is a mnemonic for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. It is a structured framework to turn your intentions into an actionable plan. For example, instead of vaguely aiming to “get better at tennis,” a SMART goal might be: “Practice my serve for 30 minutes, three times a week, for the next month.” This goal is specific (focuses on serving), measurable (tracks time spent practicing), achievable(fits into a manageable schedule), relevant (aligns with improving tennis skills), and time-bound (has a clear period of one month).
Whether or not you set New Year’s Resolutions this year, now is the perfect time to reassess your goals and how you approach them. Dramatic change isn’t born from grand declarations or fleeting bursts of motivation but rather from consistency. Instead of waiting for another year to roll around, consider starting today. Set a small, specific goal you can work on in the coming days or weeks, and use the SMART strategy to guide you.
Remember, improvement is a journey, not a destination. Every incremental step builds momentum and confidence. Life’s most meaningful changes don’t happen overnight but rather by continuous improvement. It’s time to leave behind the cycle of all-or-nothing New Year’s Resolutions and embrace a more effective approach that prioritizes persistence. Goal setting over longer durations can be effective for achieving great things. Still, it is most effective when paired with a systematic method of incremental goal setting within those broader objectives. As the Chinese proverb reminds us, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. There is no better time than the present to get started.